MEDIA RELEASE

Police arrested a 34-year-old Kealakekua man for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and resisting arrest after he tried to elude officers by swimming in Kailua Bay.

Kona Patrol and State Department of Land and natural Resources officers approached the suspect, identified as Edward Ku, about 9:05 a.m. near the Keiki Pond on the south side of the Old Kona airport. To avoid capture, Ku jumped into the ocean and began swimming toward the Kailua Pier.

With officers waiting for him at the pier, Ku continued swimming into Kailua Bay. Fire rescue personnel from the Kailua Fire Station and Navy personnel from the U.S.S. Reuben James responded and attempted to coax the suspect into their boats. But Ku refused and continued swimming along the coastline towards HuggoÕs restaurant.

At 3 p.m., after he had spent more than six hours in the water, Ku returned to shore just south of Bubba Gumps. After a brief struggle with officers on the rocky shoreline, he was arrested.

During the struggle on the slippery lava rocks, three patrol officers and the suspect received minor injuries. Ku and one officer were treated and released from the Kona Community Hospital.

Ku is currently being held at the Kealakehe police cellblock pending further investigation of UEMV case. There are also two outstanding bench warrants on Ku for revocation of supervised release and contempt of court. The warrants will be executed on completion of the felony UEMV investigation